- Apparently the hip new trend for youngsters on the internet is to film themselves making UFC predictions and then throw it up on YouTube. Fightlinker spotted the very enthusiastic WishKid12 doing her thing, and decided to see how her picks matched up against those made by professionals like us. We’re proud to report that both Bens (weirdly, we made the exact same picks) soundly defeated this precocious prognosticator. While she went 2-3 on the night, we went 4-1 (curse you Cane, and your bitch-slapping awesomeness). The only one in this impromptu contest to beat us was Fightlinker, with a perfect 5-0. So basically we’re smarter than a twelve-year-old girl but dumber than drunk Canadians. That’s still better than either of our families ever expected.

- Patrick Cote tells MMA Mania that the UFC did not have him sign a contract extension prior to his title fight against Anderson Silva at UFC 90 this Saturday night. That’s notable since he’s at or near the end of his current contract, and typically the UFC makes sure they have a guy locked up before they take a chance on him becoming a belt-holder. At least, that’s what they do when they think the challenger has a chance in hell of winning.

- In case you were wondering, Dana White says he will reward Josh Koscheck with a shot at the welterweight title if he beats Thiago Alves this weekend. We all know how much White loves guys who are willing to step in on short notice, and Koscheck has a chance to turn Diego Sanchez‘s misfortune into a big break for himself. Not that anyone’s really clamoring for GSP-Koscheck II at this point.

- MMA Payout takes issue with the UFC’s insinuation that Brandon Vera voluntarily sat out a year and then returned a different fighter. They point out that Vera was an early victim of the “Zuffa Freeze Out” and that by running around comparing the old Vera to the new one, Dana White may be unwittingly calling the wrong kind of attention to his own negotiation practices. Damn revisionist history.

@Markdog: I don't know if it was expressly intentional with Cane or just a happy accident but I used to train something similar in MT. I'd throw out my left like it was going to be a jab but open the palm at the last second, instead of a jab it was more a half-assed backhand - but it was enough to get them to blink, and pull down their guard as I brought my left back, that cleared it out for a head kick. I never tried the bitch-slap/cross combo but that was pretty slick even if he didn't mean to do it. ;)

Haha thats a sweet clip i didn't notice the hand pulldown nice move, haven't seen a bitch slap like that since Werdum slapped up arlovski or since the last time i watched superfly cane should grow a handlebar mustache

Markdog- October 20, 2008 at 1:03 am

That's a bad lil chick. You go girl!

Markdog- October 20, 2008 at 12:55 am

I'm so glad somebody made a gif of that shit. I must have rewound that part about 20 times, and I was like WTF, did he just bitch slam him? I'm stilling wondering why he did it. Was it to set up the left, or to make a statement?

Canucklehead- October 20, 2008 at 12:37 am

I saw this noted on another website but check the slap again, Cane uses his open hand to grab Soko's hand/arm and pull it down to open him up for the big left. Very cool.

That Wishkid12 is also full of win. I had the same picks so the kid is obviously a genius, too bad Vera and Leben couldn't deliver.

Junta- October 20, 2008 at 12:17 am

same combo i used on my ex wife

LiuLang- October 20, 2008 at 12:14 am

Nice to see Payout still taking shots at the UFC whenever the opportunity presents itself. Who needs to present both sides of the story?!?!!? They don't, they have business degrees, so they get a free fucking pass! Good for them. Not one mention of Mark Dion's bullshit demands. Vera was up and coming at the time, but not worth the ridic amount being asked. Obviously, the UFC needs to pay a fighter whatever he asks without any regard to the health of their business whatsoever. And after sitting out for a year, I'd say his 100/100k deal is looking really damn good right now. God I hate their articles sometimes.

mmmiles- October 19, 2008 at 11:33 pm

Great slap.

That girl was crazy, but awesome as well. It might be a thin field, but I have to imagine she's the top 12 year old female fight prediction youtuber out there.